Hey Everybody,
I'm sorry it's been a few days since my last post, but I've had a bad case of the flu. Even so, I couldn't let this day pass without marking it in my blog! Stay tuned because this week, I'll be reviewing the cd by "Cazwell" -- an openly gay rap artist from NYC. It will also be followed by an interview I conducted with him via email. And I will also explore the recent cds by blue-eyed soul artists, Robin Thicke, Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse! But today is a special day. Read on to find out why!
25 years ago today, Sire Records president, Seymour Stein released a single called "EVERYBODY" by an unknown singer by the name of Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. The song had a definite urban sound and the record company was afraid that no one would buy the single if they knew she was white. So instead they released the 12" single with the above cover. The single went on to become a dance club hit, but barely registered on the pop charts. The same would go for the single "Holiday." Also, released without her picture on the cover. Her debut album "Madonna" did little to spark any interest in her whatsoever during the first few months of its release. Rolling Stone called the album a "tolerable bit of lawn party fluff." It wasn't until the release of the singles and more importantly the videos for "Lucky Star" and "Borderline" that the world would take notice. The singles, videos and the album itself became so popular that Sire Records pushed back the release of her sophomore album “Like A Virgin” to give the first album a chance to truly run its course. She may have had a slow start, but once she took off, there was no stopping her. Just last year, her "Confessions Tour" was the highest grossing tour ever by a female artist. I can't think of any other woman in the industry who has had 25 years of constant success. No breakdowns, no trips to rehab, no flops. Even her worst selling cd “American Life” debuted at number one on the Billboard Album charts. Officially, she is now eligible for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 25 years for her to be inducted. During her first appearance on American Bandstand, Dick Clark asked her what her dream was and she said, “I want to rule the world.” At the end of each show on “The Virgin Tour” in 1985, balloons dropped from the ceiling and each balloon was inscribed with the saying, “Dreams Come True.”
Yes they do. When ever you're down and out, just remember a few things Madonna has told us over the years:"Dance and sing, get up and do your thing!"
"Express yourself, don't repress yourself!"
"Get into groove!"
"Holiday! Let's Celebrate!"
and last but not least:
"Music makes the people come together!"
